MasterCard scraps passwords for selfie and finger authentication

For a number of years, experts and commentators alike have warned that the humble password is no longer fit for purpose.

This autumn, in a bid to bolster security, MasterCard will launch a new app that allows customers to approve online payments using facial or fingerprint recognition.

[C]ustomers are asked to blink during the verification process

“Passwords are a pain,” explains Ajay Bhalla, Chief Product Security Officer at MasterCard in an interview with CNN Money. “When consumers shop on the Internet their banks need ways to verify their identify, so this particular product seamlessly integrates biometrics into the overall payments experience.

“This app allows you to choose your fingerprint or your face. All you need to do is tap and it asks you to verify the amount, you tap it [again] … and you’re done.”

The app will ask users to take a photo of their face, but the image will not be saved. Instead, the scanned image will be mapped and transformed into a unique ID for MasterCard to use as verification.

In order to prevent would-be thieves stealing your identity and holding up a printed photo of the user, customers are asked to blink during the verification process.

“The new generation, which is into selfies … I think they’ll find it cool. They’ll embrace it,” added Bhalla.

He even hinted at the possibility of adding voice recognition to the app, which would allow users to make payments online simply by speaking into their smartphone or tablet.

Biometrics refers to technologies that are capable of analysing human body characteristics for the purpose of authentication.

Companies like Apple have been at the forefront to this technology, with it being one of the first companies to integrate fingerprint recognition into their range of smartphones and tablets.